Green River Mayor to Attend Disaster Training

Green River City Council met recently to conduct the business of the city. Mayor Glen Dale Johnson introduced Joni Pace of the Green River Community Center.

Pace is the program director at the community center. She said, "I am pleased to award this months volunteer awards. These two people are being recognized not only for this month, but for a lifetime of service. Volunteers Paula and Kirk Dunham help all the time with everything. This award is to them for going way beyond the call of duty." The Dunhams were on hand to accept their award.

Anna Mall was next to address the council. She explained that she has been selected to represent the State of Utah in the Miss India Global Pageant in Fremont City, Calif. in August or September. The pageant will be broadcast on the India TV channel on Dish Network. If she wins at this pageant, she will go onto competition in India. The council approved to give her $100 towards her expenses in this endeavor. Mayor Johnson wished her good luck and that he was proud to have her represent Green River City and the State of Utah.

Mayor Johnson also explained to the council that a conference is being held in Maryland on Sept. 19-24. The Emergency Planning Institute is sponsoring this conference, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and attendance to this conference is by invitation. He applied to be invited and his application was selected. The conference is a week long training in disaster preparedness. The attendees will perform in a simulated disaster. They will be involved in the planning sessions and clean up of the mock disaster also.

Everyone who is attending the conference is attending in the capacity in which they service in their hometowns. For example, Mayor Johnson will be the mayor in the town where the mock disaster will be held. He explained that the chief of police will be selected from the chiefs of police that applied to attend. All other people who attend this training will be there in their capacities as city officials.

Mayor Johnson was asking the council to give him permission to attend. This institute will reimburse the city for the mayor's travel expenses, so the only expense the city will pay will be for his meals. The council approved to send the mayor to this training.

A lease application was presented to the council from the board of the Green River Shooting Sports Park. The board is requesting the council to sign the lease for the operation of the park. Ben Coomer of the board submitted the lease agreement. After some discussion concerning the terms of the lease and who else sits on the board of the shooting park, the council tabled signing the lease until these questions can be answered. The lease agreement will be brought back next month.

Mayor Johnson read resolution 2004-04concerning the adoptionof the predisaster mitigation plan that Jeff Adams of Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments has requested of all the cities in Emery County. Adams has put this plan together to cover all of southeastern Utah.

Conae Black, city recorder explained that this plan endeavors to inform every city of the potential disasters, both natural and industrial, that the city could face. With this information, the cities are encouraged to form a plan of action in these scenarios. The cities will be better equipped to handle a problem, if it arises. The council approved the adoption of the resolution.

The council approved designating Mayor Johnson as the environmental certifying officer for the city. Black explained that officer is expected to sign off on any and all documents.

Verna Watterson from the John Wesley Powell River History museum reported that the number of visitors is up this year. The museum is having a good year and there are many enthusiastic people working at the museum. The website for the museum has had 11,000 hits and has received numerous positive comments from visitors. Watterson's only request was for more advertising for the museum.

Karen Smith informed the council that the department, emergency management department is gearing up to do community emergency response teams. CERT training will be taught by Sgt. Martin Wilson of the Emery County Sheriff's Office and will be held Aug. 3 and 5. Each class will be four hours and Smith encouraged everyone to get the training. CERT will be available in an occurrence if all other emergency personnel are busy in some other location.

Christine Monroe of the Community Center reported that the summer school program at the center has good participation and they are heavily involved in Gov. Olene Walker's reading program. She also reported that the Habitat for Humanity bike challenge riders will be at the center this coming weekend. They will host a bike rodeo for the children in town.

Monroe reported that the center has received a grant from Exxon Mobile in the amount of $2,000. The company awarded the community center $500 for each quarter that retiree Bud Barton worked at the center for 100 hours.

Connie Copenhaver of the Green River Chamber of Commerce reported that Wilson Martin will be coming to speak about heritage tourism.

Councilman Dan Harrison reported that the water department has applied for a grant to purchase the new scan type water meters.

Councilman Kerry Bigelow reported that plans for Melon Days are moving along. He also reported that Green River City hosted the first round of the Little League tournament and next year the city will be the host for the second round. There are six players from Green River Babe Ruth on county teams.

Councilman Trent Fluckey reported on his meeting with Sunrise Engineering concerning the drainage project. There are no problems with the project and it is moving along nicely. The roto-mill project is mostly completed.

Councilman Tom Burr said that the two signs for Melon Days are nearly ready. The Chamber of Commerce and the melon farmers are paying for the signs. He also notified the council that the signage at the geyser needs to be addressed and upgrades considered. He requested the council formulate a plan for the geyser's administration.

Mayor Johnson informed the council of the upcoming events and training available. He told them he would work out a plan and specific assignments. He announced that in September, Johansen and Tuttle will begin the drainage project.